Decide on the length of your cruise and your destination. You can cruise from three days to two weeks. Once you have determined the length of your cruise and your destination, shop online to compare prices on different cruise lines. You can use websites such as Cruises.com or Icruise.com to see prices that are offered. Choose a couple of cruises that you are interested in and call the contact number on the website to ask if they can come up with a better price for you.
Call local travel agents once you have chosen a cruise. Find out if they can get you a better deal than the price listed online. By booking through a travel agent, you may be able to get a free upgrade on your room or even onboard ship credits that can be used for activities such as massages.
Call the cruise lines that have cruises you are interested in. Ask if they have any last-minute specials or rates. Some cruise lines offer discounts so that they can fill rooms on the ship before it departs. If you are flexible with the dates on which you can depart, this is a great opportunity to secure a better rate.
Check the Sunday papers for ads on cruises. Often you can find an ad in the travel section that describes a promotion or special deal. This is especially effective if you live in an area from which cruise ships depart. If you do not live in one of these areas, go to your local library and view newspapers from cities that offer cruise departures. You may be able to find a special deal from a travel agent that you would never have known about otherwise.
